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The winner of this school year's New York District Kiwanis K Kids and New York District Circle K essay contest, Mason Hall from Canandaigua.
Twenty-three essays centered around the theme of helpfulness and family were submitted.
We would also like to express our appreciation to the New York District Circle K, Governor Anis Choudhury, and our panel of dedicated educators for their invaluable partnership and support in the essay judging process. Additionally, a special thank you to Canandaigua Kiwanis Advisor Beth Lyons-Cary for her efforts in arranging the celebration.
The winning essay, titled "Project Kindness," was submitted by Mason Hall from Canandaigua Elementary School. His K Kids Club was treated to a pizza party in recognition of this achievement. Mason received a Certificate of Achievement from Marianne Gallagher, Canandaigua Kiwanis Past President and K-Kids advisor. The Canandaigua Kiwanis Club further acknowledged his accomplishment with their own Certificate of Achievement and a gift card to Barnes & Noble, his favorite store.
Congratulations, Mason!
Please find Mason's inspiring winning essay below:
"Project Kindness"
Once there was a town called Chainville. One day there was an opportunity to help all the neighbors. There was a boy named Ben, a fourth grader, who was great at helping others. He decided he wanted to help by shoveling his neighbors’ driveways of the snow. He started at Mrs. Harley’s house.
Knock-knock. She answered the door. "Oh, hello," she said.
"Hi, I was wondering if I could shovel your driveway for a school project?" asked Ben.
"I’d love that," said Mrs. Harley.
He went back and forth until he was done. Now on to Mr. Frederickson’s, Ben thought. Ben crept up to the house. There was a gate that said Do Not Enter! He opened the gate and it squealed. Oh man I’m scared, thought Ben. The branches were so long they looked like claws. As he walked up the driveway his boots crunched in the snow. He knocked on the door and Mr. Frederickson answered. "Get off my lawn!" he shouted with a scowl.
Ben said, "H-hi, my name is B-ben. I was wondering…."
"I said get off my lawn!"
Ben sadly went home for the night. He walked in and slammed the door. "Hey buddy, what’s going on?" his dad asked. "Dad, Mr. Frederickson won’t let me help him," Ben replied.
"Well, Ben, Mr. Fredrickson is a grumpy old lonely man," Dad told him. "Give him another chance."
One day later Ben went back to Mr. Frederickson’s house and asked to shovel his driveway again. "Hey kid, didn’t I say to scram?" Mr. Frederickson said. Ben went home sad again. His mom asked him what was wrong. "Mr. Frederickson won’t let me help him," Ben replied. "Well, Ben, I can make cookies to help you feel better."
"You mean your world-famous chocolate chip cookies?" Ben asked.
"Yeah!" she answered. In that moment Ben had a wonderful idea. Ben was going to try to share the cookies with Mr. Frederickson. Ben went to bed that night hoping for a successful day tomorrow. When Ben woke up the next morning and zoomed downstairs, he smelled the delicious cookies. He got all bundled up just as mom brought a plate of warm cookies.
Ben took the cookies to Mr. Frederickson’s house. He nervously knocked on the door. Mr. Frederickson answers the door with a mean grin. "Hi, Mr. Frederickson. Could I share some cookies with you even if you don’t want me to shovel?"
His mean grimace turned to a smile. "Thank you, Ben. I have been lonely for so long and done everything by myself, I forgot how kind people can be." Ben thought to how sad his story was. "I would love for you to shovel my driveway, Ben, and I am sorry I have been so difficult about letting you help me."
Ben happily did his work and from then on, they were friends, both having learned valuable life lessons that service and kindness are important in the world.
(Posted May 31, 2025)
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